Colbert takes on cyber-spies: "The Internet is under attack!"

"Our frenemies in China are spinning a World Wide Web of lies"

Published May 21, 2014 3:20PM (EDT)

"The Colbert Report" began with host Stephen Colbert emphatically asking viewers to turn off computers, tablets and smartphones, and to focus in on the TV. (If you're watching online, Colbert helpfully closes all your other tabs.)

Why? Well, because of the recent news that the U.S. has uncovered and charged five Chinese officials of cyber-espionage. The five officials are being charged with spying on U.S. companies including Westinghouse, U.S. Steel, Alcoa and Solar World.

And how did these spies infiltrate the U.S. systems? A technique called "spearfishing" or sending an email that when opened uploads malware into the system. And if you're still curious, Colbert helpfully demonstrates in the spot-on clip below:


By Sarah Gray

Sarah Gray is an assistant editor at Salon, focusing on innovation. Follow @sarahhhgray or email sgray@salon.com.

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